Blog: September is National Food Safety Month

Friday

Sep 28, 2012 at 10:00 AM

The Henry and Stark County Health Departments' Environmental HealthDivision announces that September has been designated National Food SafetyMonth.

RaeAnn Tucker-Marshall

The Henry and Stark County Health Departments' Environmental HealthDivision announces that September has been designated National Food SafetyMonth. In accordance with health designation, Health DepartmentEnvironmental Health Director, Dorothy David notes, "So much attention isgiven to the importance that food establishments, such as restaurants andgrocery stores, train their staff on safe food handling practices. However,food safety is just as important in the home kitchen.

This Food Safety Month the Health Department wishes to provideinformation to help area residents to serve safe and enjoyable meals at hometo yourself, and your family and friends.

David notes, "Cross-contamination refers to the transfer of germs fromone surface of food to another, which can lead to foodborne illness,commonly know as 'food poisoning.' Avoiding cross-contamination is a keypart of food safety best practices."

The Health Department offers four easy tips for all home kitchens:

1) Wash Your Hands. Always wash hands before touching food. To washyour hands properly, wet hands/arms with water as hot as you can comfortablystand; add soap; scrub hands/arms for 10 to 15 seconds; rinse with warm/hotwater; and dry hands with a single-use paper towel or hand-dryer, ifavailable.

3) Keep Food Apart. Don't store raw meats next to or aboveready-to-eat foods in your fridge. Prep salad vegetables before raw meatand seafood, and use different utensils and knives for food that is ready toeat and food you intend to cook. Use separate cutting boards and other prepsurfaces for raw and cooked food. A good way to remember which is which isto use different colored boards, for example red for meats and green forvegetables.

4) Treat Food Allergic Friends To A Safe Meal. If you're throwing adinner party and one of your guests has a food allergy, it's not enough tosimply pick the item in question off the dish. Food allergies can beserious, so take extra care to prep the food allergic guest's dishseparately from other food, including using separate cutting boards andutensils. And, of course, wash your hands!

David notes, "In addition, we would also like to take this opportunityto inform area residents that if you are preparing to serve food to thepublic though an event; you are required to either register with the HealthDepartment or apply for a permit so that we can better assist you in thesanitation standards of food preparation."

For more information on food safety contact the Health Department at(309) 852-0197 or visit our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find uson facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments.